As we prepare for Week 2 of the fantasy football season, it’s time to look beyond the mainstream waiver wire pickups and dive into the under-the-radar players who can help you gain an edge. Each and every week, we try to beat the waiver wire by identifying the players who could be next week’s hottest pickups that you can get for free right now.
Whether you already blew all your Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB) or just want to get creative, we’ve got your Week 2 gems!
Rostership percentages courtesy of ESPN Points Per Reception (PPR) redraft fantasy football leagues as of Tuesday, Sept. 10.
Check Your Waivers: Mainstream Fantasy Football Week 2 Waiver Wire Pickups
As you’re scanning the waiver wire for some deeper additions, here are a few mainstream names that might still be available in your league:
Quarterback
- Baker Mayfield (QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) | 30.9%
- Justin Fields (QB, Pittsburgh Steelers) | 11.1%
- Matthew Stafford (QB, Los Angeles Rams) | 35.8%
Running Backs
- Jordan Mason (RB, San Francisco 49ers) | 23.7%
- Rico Dowdle (RB, Dallas Cowboys) | 39.5%
- Jaleel McLaughlin (RB, Denver Broncos) | 44.2%
- Justice Hill (RB, Baltimore Ravens) | 3.3%
- Jaylen Wright (RB, Miami Dolphins) | 23.4%
- Bucky Irving (RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) | 20.7%
- Alexander Mattison (RB, Las Vegas Raiders) | 10.2%
Wide Receivers
- Khalil Shakir (WR, Buffalo Bills) | 49.6%
- Demarcus Robinson (WR, Los Angeles Rams) | 14.8%
- Greg Dortch (WR, Arizona Cardinals) | 1.6%
- Rashid Shaheed (WR, New Orleans Saints) | 42.0%
- Brandin Cooks (WR, Dallas Cowboys) | 29.7%
Tight End
- Isaiah Likely (TE, Baltimore Ravens) | 9.8%
- Colby Parkinson (TE, Los Angeles Rams) | 1.5%
In the Scope Targets: Top Fantasy Football Week 2 Free Agent Finds
Now let’s dive into the “In The Scope” picks, with some players currently flying under the radar who could make an impact in the coming weeks.
Wan’Dale Robinson (WR, New York Giants) | 6.9%
The New York Giants’ offense is abysmal, but there’s a glimmer of fantasy relevance in the mess. Wan’Dale Robinson played 68% of the team’s offensive snaps in Week 1, commanding a 28.6% target share, good for 12 targets. Robinson has always been a high-target-share player, boasting a 39.3% share in college at Kentucky, and that trend looks like it could continue.
With Jalin Hyatt seeing just 23% of snaps in Week 1 and defenses likely to double-team Malik Nabers, Robinson has a clear role in this offense. Given how bad the Giants seem, the game script should often be favorable for pass-catchers, and in Week 2, they face the Washington Commanders, who gave up the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers in Week 1. If you’re looking for a PPR-friendly receiver with high-volume potential, Robinson is a prime target.
Tyler Johnson (WR, Los Angeles Rams) | 0%
The Rams are hurting for pass-catchers with Puka Nacua ruled out. In Week 1, Tyler Johnson took advantage, hauling in five catches for 79 yards against a strong defense. Johnson also has unique big-play ability and can stretch the field, giving him an edge over the other Rams receivers.
The Rams face the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2, a team that was torched by the Bills’ offense in their opener. Johnson could be a great addition if you need a deeper flex option with upside, especially in leagues where waiver wire options are thin.
Adonai Mitchell (WR, Indianapolis Colts) | 30.2%
Adonai Mitchell showed flashes in Week 1, running routes on 94.7% of Anthony Richardson’s pass plays. He was targeted on 26.3% of those routes, but Richardson’s inaccuracy limited Mitchell’s production to just one catch for two yards. However, Mitchell’s opportunity could expand, especially in Week 2 against a Green Bay Packers defense that allowed 34 points in their season opener.
Mitchell was inches away from a breakout performance, with Richardson missing him on two potential touchdowns. He’s a high-upside option if you’re willing to take a chance on a rookie receiver with big-play ability. Keep an eye out after the Week 2 waiver wire runs to see if someone in your league dropped the Texas product.
Check out all of our content for Week 2 of the fantasy football season:
- Week 2 In the Scope Targets (2024)
- Week 2 Shore Thing Sleepers (2024)
- Week 2 Fantasy Football Advice Mailbag
- NFL Week 2 Underdog Pick’Em Predictions
- Week 2 Fantasy Football Trade Targets (2024)
- Week 2 NFL DFS Picks & Lineup Advice (2024)
- NFL Week 2 PrizePicks Player Predictions (2024)
- Fantasy Football Whiplash! | Week 2 News & Notes (2024)
Thanks for reading our “In the Scope” targets to add after the Week 2 waiver wire run. Check out more of our fantasy football and other written content here at In-Between Media, or head over to our YouTube channel to get your fix via video.
*Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta – USA TODAY Sports*
